MCA Restaurant Conference

This weeks second event takes place this morning. I’ve attended the restaurant conference for a few years now and always enjoy the industry insights it provides, this year will be no exception as the industry gets to grips with the upcoming brexit and its knock on consequences which we are already feeling in the form of increasing food costs and the difficulties in find and retaining people. Our sector is always going to struggle with the people issue most of the jobs we provide are entry level and whilst at Vital we have a decent career path and a talented training team which will support people’s progression the reality is that you will not be able to develop everyone into a management position. We are about to give out trainers and baristas a pay rise and are working on a project which will provide everyone in the business with a bonus but this remains a work in progress.

The rest of today will be taken up with shop visits and a board call which comes ahead of our regular bank meeting which will take place next week.

Finally, our new hot food range goes live across the rest of our test shops today and I’m looking forward to speaking to customers and getting their feedback on the range.